I love when non-traditional supplies come in pretty colors. The rope section at Lowe's has woven and braided cording and rope in almost all the colors of the rainbow so I chose pink and red to make something for our next date night. This ended up as a clutch but if I had made it six inches longer I could've turned it into a tote.
To make you're own you'll want to start with a frame. I built this one from scrap wood with a hammer and nails. I made it as long and as wide as I wanted my clutch to be by nailing two nails in each corner (to keep it from getting wonky). It measures about 16" wide and 32" long. There are 21 nails on each end spaced about 3/4" apart. Then I tied a knot on the top left nail and wound it back and forth between the nails until I got to the bottom right corner and knotted it again. This is a pretty rudimentary frame but it does the job. I used a cabinet to make my first frame as seen here but this one is much sturdier. I decided to make my clutch from rope because of it's texture and sturdiness. The red is really thick and the pink gives a little.
I purchased two of each color rope and started with a six foot strand of pink. I tied a knot to the bottom right corner and wove over and under all the way across. Then I went back the other direction and went over and under the opposite strings. When I got close to running out I got to one end, wove it in about three inches, and trimmed it. I tucked it under to the back side. Then I started with the red so that I was going in the same direction and pulled it all the way through so that the end crossed under the same string as pink end. I pulled the rope down to keep the weaving tight and made sure I didn't pull so tight that it turned into an hourglass shape.
Once I got to the other end I tucked it down and back under so as not to have to tie another big knot. Then I unhooked each white strand at the top and tied a knot flush with the red rope so it wouldn't unravel. Once I had my knot I trimmed my twine down. Then I unhooked the other side of my hooked twine.
To turn it into a clutch I laid it down wrong side up and trimmed the tails a bit before folding the bottom up as shown. Fold it into almost thirds for a clutch or just in half for a tote. Cut two sections of twine about 32" long and fold in half. Start at the bottom fold and lace one half of the twine through the sides and then the other half. Knot at the top and trim excess. Repeat for the other side making sure your clutch is folded evenly.
Just the right size to tuck in the essentials. Now I wouldn't travel with bobby pins or anything but it's guaranteed to add some happiness to your wardrobe!
Have you tried weaving anything before?
-Rachel
